CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC MORALS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 206, 19 November 1927, Page 5

CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC MORALS

CITY COUNCIL ASSUMES RESPONSIBILITY DIXIELAND BATHS INQUIRY AUCKLAND City Council is the custodian of the public morals of the city. This may be news to Aucklanders, but is was solemnly stated at the Dixieland Baths inquiry yesterday afternoon by Councillor J. B. Paterson. Though the City Council, as the main objector, gave several other reasons, mostly on principle, against portions of public beaches being alienated, it was several times evident that it, and the various women’s organisations, had the moral aspect looming in their minds, and when Councillor Paterson finally came out with it definitely, Mr. E. H. Northcroft, representing Dixieland, Ltd., said they were pleased to be getting some really candid views for a change.

W. E. BUSH, the city engineer, said the council had no call to provide bathing facilities at Point Chevalier, in view of the private facilities. Mr. Northcroft: If there is some inherent objection to private enterprise on the beaches, it is remarkable* that no provision is made by the City Council to keep people away. Council or Officers? Mr. Bush admitted that for a long time people undressed in the park, behind ti-tree. With a measure of skill this could be done. “I am quite sure the Y.W.C.A. would not like that,” remarked Mr. Northcroft. “The council has no stated policy concerning baths, I think, and none can be given, especially as the personnel may change? Mr. Bush: I don’t think the change in personnel would have much to do with it. “Oh, do you mean it rests with the permanent officials?” ill*. Bush: No, I think the public would call for them when they wanted them. Further, Mr. Bush said he greatly admired the courage of the syndicate, but he was very doubtful of the financial results. It was a pity to allow risky ventures on a beach like that. Mr. Godfrey: Of course, the beach does not belong to the city. Mr. Northcroft: They are apparently trying to stop us, so as to get the beach themselves. ilr. Bush said he did not presume that anyone was going to conduct themselves wrongfully, but if finances became strained management might get loose. The harbour engineer, Mr. Drummond Holderness, considered that the baths would collect the sand in the area, and denude the beach. Councillor J. B. Paterson gave the City Council’s objection to the building of baths on any beach, submitting a motion passed in committee. He also said that for the 3'ear 192526 the tepid baths receipts were £3,086 Is 4d, and the working expenses £4,267 Is Id. At Point Resolution the receipts were £244 4s 9d, and the expenses £329 2s 2d; and at Shelly Beach baths the income was £195 18s 9d, and the working expenses £584 2s 9d. “Not Morally Right” Mr. Northcroft: This motion of the council says ‘That a cabaret and swimming bath is not a desirable conjunction of amusements.’ What does that mean ? “I am of opinion that it is not right, from a moral aspect, for young ladies to go out of a dancing place into a bath like this,” replied Councillor Paterson. Mr. Northcroft: We are getting a little candour at last. The council passed this resolution without even knowing what conditions were being imposed. Councillor Paterson: We say that. as custodians of public morals Mr. Northcroft: I am glad to know that is one of your functions. Councillor Paterson: ——we say none of these beaches should be taken away. The inquiry then adjourned. The first witness this morning was Councillor J. Donald, who at one time owned the area occupied by Dixieland. As a member of the Parks Committee lie said they had considered the position, and were absolutely against a site on the beach. The round-the-corner area had been suggested to Dr. Rayner, who would not consider it. The mud was not so bad as made out, and the baths would not improve the facilities a ha’-penny worth. The cruising races finished on the proposed site of the baths. Mr. Northcroft: Did I understand you to say the bay' on the north-east side was offered to Dr. Rayner?—l did not. Mr. Godfrey: Would the council he prepared to lease this bay to Dixieland? —That is for the council. They are opposed to any private baths there anywhere. He said the Parks Committee visited the site on Tuesday. He denied that Dr. Rayner was asked to visit it with them. He knew nothing of it. Pie had heard that Councillor Brinsden, the Mayor and Dr. Rayner had had a conference at which an alternative site for the baths was proposed to Dr. Rayner. Mr. Northcroft: Is the council prepared to consent to the baths being placed approximately on the first site? —lt is not. The Moral Aspect The moral aspect was then opened up by Mr. Northcroft. Mr. Godfrey HOUSES AND LAND FOR SALE

stated that no one, outside his department, knew the conditions that it had been proposed to impose on the conduct of the baths. “I am of opinion that a cabaret and bathing can’t be run together/’ remarked witness. Mr. Northcroft: My difficulty is that it seems to be Dixieland that is being shot at, and not the fact that it was private enterprise.—lt was because ft was a cabaret. “Will you tell me why the conjunction is objectionable?” asked Mr. Northcroft. “As far is I am concerned I think that young ladies going dancing and swimming at the same time is not the right way to conduct things.” “As man to man do you think that mixed bathing is conducive to immorality?”—“l won’t say mixed bathing The two won’t go together.” “Is there any objection at a cabaret or a private house party to the young people going into a garden?”—“No.” “You don’t think bathing is conducive to illicit desires in young people?”—“I say it is for the health of anyone.” “I would like you to tell me why you object.”—“l think I have made myself ve.ry clear. I don’t agree with it.” “If you had a house on the waterfront would you object to the young peoplo going for a swim during a dance?”—“That is different.” “The beach would not be lighted or supervised as these baths would be.” —“When you put a private house against a cabaret there is a lot of difference.” “How often have you been in a cabaret?”—“l was in one in New York.” “Have you been N to one in Auckland in the last 10 years?”—“l really can’t say.” Suggestion to Call Mayor At this stage Mr. Godfrey pointed out that the effect of the examination about visits left the impression that something had intervened, and, in view of the attitude of the council he thought the Mayor should be called. There must have been some willingness. to discuss alternatives. Mr. J. Stanton, city solicitor: Supposing there was. The decision of the council was that there was no alternative. I understand that the conference was at the request of Dixieland. Mr. Northcroft: That is entirely untrue. Cr. Alice Basten at this stage rose and entered a protest. “I don’t know anything about Dixieland being invited,” she said. No notice was taken of the protest. Mr. Godfrey: We have no right to require the presence of the Mayor, but it seems to me to be of some importance. Cr. E. J. Phelan said he had been asked by the Mayor to go out on a sort of private conference on sites, but had refused to go unless it was official. He was at the beach oh Tuesday with the Parks Committee, and believed Dr. Rayner was invited to be present. Dr. Rayner said he would not consider the point as a. site. “It is like putting a bath inside Parnell baths, to build a bath on a beach,” remarked witness. His objection was not on moral grounds. He wanted the beaches left in natural condition. Cr. Phelan said he had heard nothing against Dixieland and he saw no harm in a cabaret and swimming bath being run together. He could not see that the building of a bath at Point Chevalier was ’ the same as building Parnell baths alongside Judge’s Bay, or Ponsonby baths on Shelly Beach. Mr. Stanton introduced other evidence, but said he had not briefed it and the council did not stand behind it. Mr. F. Dyson, of the Point Chevalier Sailing Club, objected on the ground of prospective damage to the beach. “Commercialising Beaches” Mr. A. M. Laing voiced his own protest as a resident and ratepayer. He said:— “I am heartily in favour of a bath at Point Chevalier, but the beach must be the first consideration.” He con--sidered that baths in their present proposed site would affect the beach detrimentally, and in any case considered that the baths should be built by the City Council, and no private enterprise should be allowed to commercialise the beaches. The witness said that Dixieland had been convicted over the running of its cabaret and its licence suspended for two months. They had no guarantee as| to future conduct, but if the city intended to do nothing, and there were no other offers, the licence should be granted to Dixieland. S. G. Crookbain. secretary of the Point Chevalier School Committee, protested on behalf of his committee against any portion of the foreshore being given over to baths. Cross-examined, he said the committee, as a committee, had not asked him to represent them. The inquiry adjourned until Monday.